ESSENDON has closely studied Hawthorn’s tactics to overcome Sydney in a bid to develop a similar game plan at the SCG on Friday night.

Midfielder Brendon Goddard said the Bombers had particularly noted the Hawks pressure around the ball and at the contests.

“The coaches have dissected that game. I watched bits and pieces of it and you can always take something out of it, particularly the way Hawthorn were able to overcome them in the last quarter and a half,’’ he said.

“On the night, they (Swans) probably weren’t happy with their own performance in a number of areas, but just with their consistency, I don’t think they’re weak in too many areas.’’

Goddard described the Swans as a massive challenge and that the Bombers can’t take any comfort from their own rest compared to their foe’s short preparations week.

“The boys are in a good frame of mind. Coming off a win, it’s always easier going into a break and the boys are ready for a great challenge,’’ he said.

“In some sense you would probably like to see them win, but they’re professional enough and their preparation wouldn’t waiver regardless of the result.

“Obviously, they’re a formidable team and opponent, but I think the boys are ready and full of confidence based on the consistency of footy we’ve played over the last month.’’

Sydney goalkicking ace Lance Franklin has created havoc, average nearly five goals a game, against the Bombers in the past and Goddard said the Hawthorn way was critical to containing him.

“I think that’s always the case. A lot of it comes through delivery from the mids and how that pressure is around the ball,’’ Goddard said.

“Obviously, they set their game up from the contest which allows Buddy to essentially put on a show. We’ll do our best to try and minimise his impact and free ball through the midfield.

“We’ve got some key objectives and areas that we need to focus on. Not only him, but their midfielders stand out as well. So we’ve got our hands full in a number of areas. Everyone wants to single him out, but he’s only a reflection of how their midfield is going.

“It was obviously a good chance for us physically to freshen up, but mentally as well. But, saying that, we all deal with six-day breaks. And they came off a break two weeks ago, so it’s much of a muchness really.

“We know where we stand and our destiny is in our own hands. But we’re playing consistent footy and regardless of the result this week, They have been the yardstick for most of the season and I hope we just put in a good performance and set up our next four to five weeks.’’

Goddard said the players are backing suspended coach James Hird to return to the club in a modified role to prepare for next season.

“We want him back as soon as possible and we support the board’s decision of the unofficial role for James,’’ he said.

“For his transition and our transition as a footy club going into 2015, it’s best that he comes back in some capacity as soon as he can.’

On whether Hird’s return from overseas had been a distraction, Goddard said: “You look at the last 18 months and this has been only a drop in the ocean on what the boys have had to deal with.’’